Miami Uber Rideshare Accident Attorneys
Helping Victims of Uber Rideshare Accidents Throughout the State of Florida
Heading out for the night or heading out of town? Then it is likely that you, along with millions of others, have booked a ride via a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft. The popularity of rideshare services has many benefits for Miami residents and tourists alike who are looking for an easy way to book transportation. Lyft and Uber offer the ease of arranging a ride by using an app linked to your credit card so there is no hassle; just click, book and you are on your way. Passengers love the ability to book a car and driver on demand, and they also love the fact that Miami Uber drivers are driving the latest models of popular cars. Unfortunately, these cosmetic benefits provide little comfort when the negligence or wrongful conduct of Uber or Lyft drivers results in life changing harm.
Miami recorded over 51,000 vehicle accidents in 2020, with 16,459 injuries and 344 fatalities- and many of these accidents involved passengers and drivers in rideshare vehicles. These Uber rideshare accidents cause pain, suffering, emotional distress and financial hardship for the victim and their family. If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a Miami Uber ridesharing accident, you shouldn’t face these challenges alone. The highly skilled rideshare accident attorneys at the Boyers Law Group want to help.
We have successfully litigated personal injury cases for over two decades, helping Florida families hold negligent parties accountable for the injuries they cause and achieving substantial compensation for their injured victims. Let us put our experience, expertise and resources to work for you.
Uber in Miami
Uber is known for its quick and convenient service, and the availability of many drivers in the Miami area has made the rideshare service extremely popular. However, the popularity and surge of vehicles on the road has increased the likelihood that an Uber vehicle will be involved in an accident with another vehicle, or a cyclist or pedestrian.
Florida law protects Uber and Lyft passengers and clearly spells out insurance requirements for all “Transportation Network Companies” (TNC) as well as obligations that exist between the TNC and its drivers and passengers. TNC drivers are not allowed to abuse drugs or alcohol, and they must undergo background checks to be approved to drive- including not having had any felonies within the past 5 years and may not be on the National Sex Offender Public Website. All drivers must possess a valid Florida driver’s license.
Ridesharing companies in Florida must provide insurance for their drivers, but this insurance only applies when the driver is en-route to picking up a passenger or when a passenger is present in the car. Once a passenger is in a ridesharing vehicle, the TNC policy takes over. Per Florida law, Uber must maintain a policy that provides:
- $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent collision coverage with a $2,500 deductible
When an Uber driver is waiting to get a request for a ride, their own vehicle insurance is what covers them in case of an accident, thus ensuring that the driver has some coverage that can help cover injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers in the event of an accident. However, even the largest insurance policy might not be enough to compensate you if you are severely injured in a ridesharing accident.
Uber Drivers Cause Accidents in Miami
Uber published a report indicating that over 99% of its rides happen without any incident or injury, but what if you or your loved ones fall into that other 1%? Whether you were a passenger, driver, pedestrian or cyclist, the accident that caused your injuries may be due to the negligence of a Miami Uber driver. Some of the most common causes of Uber accidents in Miami include:
- Distracted driving (which happens when an Uber driver checks their app, either for an update to directions or to pick up a passenger)
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Pulling over to pick up or drop off passengers in an unsafe location
- Aggressive driving
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Defective vehicle components
- Hazardous road conditions
Miami’s tourism industry and robust nightlife scene have contributed to the popularity of ridesharing services, thus increasing the presence of Uber drivers and vehicles on the roads, and the propensity for TNC drivers and vehicles to be involved in accidents. When a driver is rushing to pick up a passenger, checking the Uber app for updates or driving a poorly maintained vehicle, it is possible that their negligence is the cause of your accident.
Miami Uber Accident Victims Have Life Changing and Fatal Injuries
In a contest that no state wants to win, Florida ranks third highest in pedestrian deaths due to vehicle accidents. Couple that with Miami’s 756 bicycle vs. vehicle crashes, and you can see the impact that crowded roads and distracted drivers have on the safety and health of Miami residents and tourists. More than 340 people lost their lives due to vehicular collisions in 2020, and that was a year with lower than average traffic on the road because of COVID-19. In previous years, there were over 403,000 vehicular accidents, resulting in more than 3100 deaths. Injuries occurred in over 255,000 Miami car accidents, With the increase in Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing vehicles on the roads in Miami, more accidents resulting in life changing injuries or death are possible. The Uber Safety report indicates that 107 people died in 97 Uber related accidents, with pedestrians representing 30% of the deceased.
Victims of Miami Uber and ridesharing vehicle accidents often suffer concussions, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, fractures, disfigurement, head and neck injuries, soft tissue damage, burns and other catastrophic and life changing injuries, and may even lose their lives. These tragic and life altering injuries due to a Miami Uber accident can result in immense amounts of pain and suffering as well as loss of income. A lawsuit may be necessary to obtain the compensation you need to pay for ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, pain and other damages. The Boyers Law Group Uber accident attorneys take these factors into consideration to help you receive the best outcome for your case. Boyers Law Group will assist you with obtaining accident reports, past safety records, any applicable footage from the Uber in-vehicle camera, details from the Uber driving log, cell phone provider records and witness interviews.
Assaulted in an Uber
Uber’s safety report, with data from 2017 and 2018, illustrated the dangers of riding in an Uber, with more than 2.3 billion trips during those calendar years. One of the insights concerns the frequency in which sexual assault occurs in Uber vehicles. In 2018, there were 235 reported rapes and over 1,500 sexual assault incidents. Uber further sub-divides sexual assault into 5 subcategories, non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual body part, attempted non-consensual sexual penetration, non-consensual touching of a sexual body part, non-consensual kissing of a sexual body part and non-consensual sexual penetration. The shocking amount of sexual assault incidents in Uber vehicles reminds passengers that they must always be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings. Uber vehicles provide a false sense of security, and a passenger may suffer an assault or be tragically injured due to the actions of another.
Compensation for Miami Uber Accident or Assault Victims
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in an Uber or rideshare accident, you may be able to obtain substantial financial compensation for your injuries and damages. With a Miami Uber accident lawsuit, you may be able to pursue compensation for various elements of damage that, among others, may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished capacity to enjoy life
- Scarring, disability, disfigurement
- Property damage
If your loved one loses their life due to the negligence of an Uber driver, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit, as Florida provides that there is a right of action when a death occurs and but for the death, the injured person would have been able to recover for their injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongful act.
The experienced Miami Uber accident attorneys of the Boyers Law Group will examine every detail of your case to get you the substantial compensation you deserve.
Boyers Law Group Attorneys Have Decades of Experience Representing Accident Victims
When you or a member of your family has been seriously injured in an Uber vehicle accident, you need expert legal help. Our compassionate team of litigators has years of experience in successfully representing victims of serious accidents. We will help you understand the legal process and we’ll do everything possible to hold the responsible parties fully accountable for the harm they have caused. Our team at Boyers Law Group will tirelessly advocate for justice on your behalf, as well as for the compensation that you deserve as a result of the harm that you have suffered. We are here to support you during this difficult time.
Please contact the experienced Miami Uber accident attorneys of Boyers Law Group at 800.545.9100 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website for a free consultation so we can get started working on your case.